“Over the past few weeks at budget engagement forums and community meetings across the District, residents have shown up to share their belief that the [Fair Elections Act] would strengthen our democracy,” Bowser tweeted this afternoon, alongside a picture of the signed bill. “I have heard them and I have been moved by their passion.”
The bill, which was approved unanimously by the D.C. Council last month, creates a program to provide candidates for office in D.C. with public funds to run their campaigns. Proponents say public financing — which is used in 28 jurisdictions nationwide, including Montgomery County — could help wean candidates from big-money donors and dampen the influence of business and corporate interests in the Wilson Building.